Conservative columnist Josh Barro comments on what defenders of Phil Robertson are defending on Business Insider. 1.Robertson thinks black Americans were treated just fine in the Jim Crow-era South, and that they were happy there. 2.Robertson thinks the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor because they didn't believe in Jesus. 3.Robertson hates gay people. As a side note, it's … [Read more...] about Barro on Defending Phil Robertson
Conservative Republicans reject New York Times Benghazi findings
The New York Times investigation that found Al Qaeda or a terrorist group was not behind the Benghazi attack is -- as predicted here -- being rejected by Republicans. As I noted in that post: This most likely won’t change the partisan attacks on Fox News, in Congress and most assuredly on conservative weblogs. Our politics now operates on rejecting polls, … [Read more...] about Conservative Republicans reject New York Times Benghazi findings
Baby’s Penis Severed During Jewish Bris Circumcision Ceremony
In the Jewish religion, the person who performs the rite of circumcision is a mohel. And there's an old joke: "I know a mohel who works for tips." This cringe-worthy story could cause a revision in that joke: A local [Pennsylvania] rabbi is being sued after allegedly botching a bris, the traditional Jewish circumcision ritual, and severing a newborn boy’s penis. The … [Read more...] about Baby’s Penis Severed During Jewish Bris Circumcision Ceremony
The Important Employment Number Has Changed
Over at Mother Jones Kevin Drum has a go at explaining why the long term unemployment situation is so bad for everyone. The explanation is cogent and understandable...for those who will pay attention without wearing political blinders. I've been there. Back in the mid-80s the price of oil crashed hard and Tulsa was in a depression. Houses for sale everywhere and jobs … [Read more...] about The Important Employment Number Has Changed
Last-Minute Surge Pushes Obamacare Enrollments to 1.1 Million
A last-minute surge puts Obamacare enrollments over 1.1 million, Marilyn Tavenner, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said in a blog post ahead of Tuesday night's original deadline. Tavenner wrote, “December enrollment so far is over 7 times that of October and November,” compared to only 27,000 who enrolled in October when the site's launch was a major … [Read more...] about Last-Minute Surge Pushes Obamacare Enrollments to 1.1 Million
New York Times: No Al Qaeda link evidence in Benghazi attack (but will it matter?)
A New York Times investigation has found no link that Al Qaeda of any other terrorist group had a role in the attack on Benghazi -- and that the attack was indeed sparked by fury over an American-made video seen by some as insulting Muslims. Talking Points Memo has the best summary: A months-long investigation by The New York Times "turned up no evidence that Al Qaeda or … [Read more...] about New York Times: No Al Qaeda link evidence in Benghazi attack (but will it matter?)
Why the Tea Party Can’t Govern
Daniel McCarthy provides historical context for the inability of the Tea Party to govern in The American Conservative. Something is seriously wrong with conservatism. Since Ronald Reagan’s last year in office, Republicans have only twice won a majority of votes cast for president—both times with a George Bush atop the ticket. And neither Bush was a conservative. For 25 years, … [Read more...] about Why the Tea Party Can’t Govern
Yes Virginia, We Can Have Both Liberty AND Security
On February 26, 2006, when the war in Iraq had been raging for almost three years, when more than 2,000 of our troops had already been killed and less than a year before George W. Bush announced that he had “committed more than 20,000 additional American troops to Iraq,” the following letter appeared in NEWSWEEK: Your comprehensive discussion of the thinking and … [Read more...] about Yes Virginia, We Can Have Both Liberty AND Security
Unemployment benefits expiring: Should special help continue beyond 26 weeks?
Unemployment benefits expiring: Should special help continue beyond 26 weeks? (via The Christian Science Monitor) This weekend, extended unemployment benefits expire for some 1.3 million Americans who are looking for jobs and have already been out of work for more than half a year. It’s typical for these special benefits to expire after recessions. But the question… … [Read more...] about Unemployment benefits expiring: Should special help continue beyond 26 weeks?
Man who oversaw Saddam hanging recalls dictator’s end
Man who oversaw Saddam hanging recalls dictator's end (via AFP) Mowaffak al-Rubaie sits in his office with a statue of Saddam Hussein behind him, the rope used to hang the dictator around its neck, recalling his final minutes. The former national security advisor, who oversaw Saddam's 2006 execution, said he remained… … [Read more...] about Man who oversaw Saddam hanging recalls dictator’s end
The Pope could learn something
The Pope could learn something from Republican Rep. Paul Ryan -- Paul Ryan thinks. … [Read more...] about The Pope could learn something
WILL DUR$T’$ 2013 XMA$ GIFT WI$H LI$T (Guest Voice)
WILL DUR$T'$ 2013 XMA$ GIFT WI$H LI$T Raging Moderate, by Will Durst It's the most wonderful time of the year. And finally over. Thank the maker. Because if The Little Drummer Boy was played within my immediate vicinity one more time, somebody was going to have a bacon-flavored candy cane crammed into an orifice that doesn't naturally accommodate candy canes. Bacon or … [Read more...] about WILL DUR$T’$ 2013 XMA$ GIFT WI$H LI$T (Guest Voice)
Duck Dynasty camouflage (Cartoon)
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Duck Dynasty camouflage (Cartoon)
White man charged with ‘knockout game’ hate crime. Racial hypocrisy? (Guest Voice)
White man charged with 'knockout game' hate crime. Racial hypocrisy? (via The Christian Science Monitor) The US Department of Justice on Thursday stepped into the cultural fray about the so-called “knockout game” when it brought federal hate crime charges against a white Texas man for assaulting an unsuspecting black man. The decision shines a brighter… … [Read more...] about White man charged with ‘knockout game’ hate crime. Racial hypocrisy? (Guest Voice)
Sherlock Holmes is free, US judge rules
Sherlock Holmes is free, US judge rules (via AFP) The beloved British detective Sherlock Holmes is now free to be reimagined in the United States after a federal judge ruled that licensing fees are no longer required. First introduced in 1887, Holmes entered the public domain in Britain years ago.… … [Read more...] about Sherlock Holmes is free, US judge rules
A & E lifts suspension on ‘Duck Dynasty’ (Videos)
Editor's Note: A&E's decision was not unexpected. GO HERE. A & E lifts suspension on 'Duck Dynasty' (via CNN Video) Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter says he isn't surprised A & E lifted Phil Robertson's suspension from 'Duck Dynasty'. … [Read more...] about A & E lifts suspension on ‘Duck Dynasty’ (Videos)
Highly Recommended Reading
I have read the Archdruid Report by John Michael Greer for several years. In my prior posts, I have recommended it as a must-read for The Moderate Voice fans. The author always has insightful and objective observations on the current condition of mankind. He also does not mince words or belong to any section of the political, social, economic or religious matrix. His … [Read more...] about Highly Recommended Reading
Florida will soon overtake New York in population
New York has seen its status as the most populous state in the union shrink over the years and now it seems to be a yet another turning point: it's on the path to being overtaken in population by Florida: New York, whose status as the most populous state has long been ceded, will soon fall behind Florida into fourth place, a long-anticipated drop that is rife with … [Read more...] about Florida will soon overtake New York in population
(Updated) Federal Judge Rules NSA Surveillance Lawful
Update: Judge Pauley’s 54-page written opinion can be read in its entirety here. The following are excerpts gathered from various news media (not necessarily in order of appearance in the ruling): “The government learned from its mistake and adapted to confront a new enemy: a terror network capable of orchestrating attacks across the world. It launched a number of … [Read more...] about (Updated) Federal Judge Rules NSA Surveillance Lawful
Quote of the Day: Duck Dynasty controversy poses danger to GOP
Our political Quote of the Day comes from NBC's First Read, which notes the dangers face the Republican Party as conservatives leap to defend the patriarch of Duck Dynasty over his anti-gay comments: *** Conservatives don’t “Duck” this fight: From one thorny GOP issue to another… To us, that Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” saying something controversial/offensive isn’t … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Duck Dynasty controversy poses danger to GOP